Combined brace, step-fastener, and support for step-ladders.



No. 727,047. PATEN'IED MAY 5, 1903.

I H. A. WILLIAMSON. COMBINED BRAGE, STEP PASTENER, AND SUPPORT FOR STEPLADDERS.

APPLI UATION IILED NOV. 7, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

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UNITED STATES HENRY A. WILLIAMSON,

Patented May 5, 1903.

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

COMBINED BRACE, STEP-FASTENER, AND SUPPORT FOR STEP-LADDERS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 727,047, dated May 5,1903.

Application filed November 7,1902. Serial No.130,375. (llo model-3 Toall whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY A. WILLIAMsoN, a citizen of the United States,residing at the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented a certain new and useful Combined Brace,Step-Fastener, and Support for Step-Ladders, of which the following is aspecification.

The object of myinvention is to provide an improved means for connectingthe steps of ladders to. the standards in such a way as to rigidly tiethe two parts together, brace and tie them against sidewise strain, andto afford a support for the step. It also prevents the ladder fromwarping or moving under weight, renders it stronger and more durable,increasing its capacity for weight, and lengthening its period ofusefulness. Simple and economical of construction it is adapted to beapplied not only in the construction of new ladders, but also to ladderswhich by reason of the loosening of the steps have been condemned asunsafe.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying sheet of drawings,wherein like letters and numbers denote like parts throughout theseveral figures.

Figure 1 shows in perspective a step-ladder the steps of which aresecured to the standards by my device. Fig. 2 shows in dotted lines apart of one standard and the end of one of the steps at the point whereit is se cured to this standard and a perspective from the rear of mydevice as it rests in position on the standard and steps. Fig. 3 is aplan view of the blank from which my device is formed, the dotted linesindicating the points where it is to be bent or folded over at an angleto the face. In Fig. 2 I have shown the device applied to a ladder thesteps of which are set into the standard; but it will hereinafter appearthat it is applicable to ladders where the steps are not supported inthis way, for my device is adapted to furnish in itself support for thesteps.

I prefer to construct my device out of a blank of thin sheet-iron or anyother suitable sheet material rigid and capable of being bent and to cutit so that its contour presents in the fiat the irregular shape shown inFig. 3. In Fig. 3 I have drawn certain dotted lines. The distancebetween the line as 00 and the line 00 a x 00 is substantially that ofthe thickness of the standard-of the ladder to be fitted, and thedistance between the lines a g and y y is substantially that of thethickness of the step edge, so that when the wingpieces 5, 7, and 8 arebent down substantially at right angles the blank will fit snugly overthe edge of the standard, and when the wingpieces 9 and 10 are bent downsubstantially at right angles that portion of the blank will fit snuglyover the edge of the step. I next cut or punch out the rivet-holes 4:,preferably in the places indicated in Fig. 3, so that when the wings 5,7, 8, 9, and 10 are bent down at right angles to the face-piece 6 theholes in 9 register with those in 10 and the holes in 7 and 8 with holesin 5. The piece 5 is next folded 0r bent downward at approximately rightangles to the face-piece 6 along the line :0 0c, the piece 7 issimilarly folded or bent along the line 00 00 and the pieces 9 and 10are likewise similarly folded or bent along the lines y y and m f,respectively. This operation leaves the face-piece 6 composed of thesubstantially triangular web or brace 14:, the upward and downwardextension-pieces 11 and 12, and the step-piece 14:, Fig. 3. It is ofcourse obvious that the size and shape of the wings 5 7 8 9 10 may bealtered and the number of holes 4: increased or decreased withoutdeparting from my invention.

The device may be applied to the ladder for which it is designed byslipping it over the standard and step near theirjunction, either on thefront of the step, as shown in Fig. 1, or in reverse position on theback of the ladder, and locking it in position preferably by boringholes in the steps and standard to register with the holes punched inthe device A and riveting thereto. While I prefer this method of lockingthe device A in position, because rivets are less likely to split andweaken the wood of the step and standard, the device may be secured inplace by other suitable means. The rivets passing through the wood andthe wings of the plate or support A the latter is less likely to weakenor loosen than when it is secured by nails or barbs. It will be furthernoticed that the web or brace 14. affords a support against transverseor sidewise strain and stress and tends to tie the step and standardfirmly together. This device has the advantage over devices now in themarket that it does not prevent the use of a plank or platform, one endof which may be laid between the steps, and that it affords no sharpcorners inconvenient and dangerous to persons mounting the ladder.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is

1. In combination with a leg or standard and a step or cross piecearranged at an angle to the former, a connecting device composed of asubstantially rigid sheet of metal folded or bent over the edge of saidstandard and step, a diagonal brace at'an angle to said standard andstep, and means for locking said parts together, substantially asdescribed.

2. A step fastening and support for stepladders, consisting of asubstantially rigid piece of sheet metal provided with Wings bent at anangle to the face of said piece adapted to fit over the edge of a stepnear the end thereof and over the edge of the standard of the ladder,said piece having a tie'and bracing face at an angle to said standardand step, substantially as described.

3. A fastening and brace for step-ladders consisting of a substantiallyrigid piece of metal or other suitable material provided with Wingsadapted to grasp theedges of the step and standard of the ladder andhaving a face adapted to brace and tie the same and means for lockingsaid piece in place whereby said step and standard are braced and tiedtogether.

HENRY A. WILLIAMSON.

'Witnesses:

WM. J. I-IoLM, WM. FERnoN.

